Climbing and diving toy



Sept 3, 1935- L. MALLARD 2,013,568

CLIMBlNG AND DIVING TOY Filed Nov. 2, 1933 5 sheets-sheet y1 t1 E- L g u e@ 35x r, x54/ I n n n a n l v n n n 9 ny//l l..

9 /7 5 INVENTOR.

1 BY r Z! gz n iw A TTORNEYS.

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Sept-'3, 935 L. l.. MALLARD 2,013,568

CLIMBING' AND DIVING' TOY Filed Nov. 2, 1935 s Sheets-sheet 2 39 INVEIiToR.

/ 35 lCegal/w 21m/ud,

)A ATTORNEYS Sept 3, 1935- l.. MALLARD 2,013,568

CLIMBING AND DIVING TOY Filed Nov. 2, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INI/EN TOR.

53e; j .hrz-. E f l l /M f/ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UIED ST Zlgvs r or les 14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in toys and more particularly to what may be termed a climbing and diving toy, the primary object of the invention being to provide 5 a new and novel movement for conveying an object vertically and horizontally and discharging the same substantially in the manner of a dive.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a structure in the appearance of a ladder with means in conjunction therewith for conveying an object upwardly thereon.

Still another object resides in providing a movement in connection With the ladder aforesaid which will progressively dispose an object vertically thereon in the manner of walking.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a structure for movement of the object vertically comprising stationary and movable rack bars arranged in opposed relation so that the movable rack bar may dispose the object step by step vertically on the stationary rack bar.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of specific means for converting vertical movement of an object to horizontal movement.

A still further object resides in the provision of means for releasing a display member to anno-unce the subsequent discharge of the object from the device.

A further object resides in providing a device which is comparatively simple in structure, inexpensive to manufacture and one Which will prove interesting to persons of all ages.

With these and numerous other objects in View, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved toy constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 3 3 of Figure 6 and showing more specific-ally the construction o-f the upper portion of the toy, the rack parts being shown in their normal position;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the moving parts of the toy near the end of their reciprocatory motion;

Figure 4a. is a fragmentary sectional View showing the reciprocating rack 'bars at the extreme position they assume when advancing the toy;

Figure 5 is a detailed front elevation of one of the gures used in Vconnection with my improved toy;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical sectional vieW on lines 'l-'l of Figure 3 and Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 8--8 of Figure l; p

Figure 9 is a similar View showing the parts in a position which is assumed after the arms of the toy have actuated the bell crank lever;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line Ill-lll of Figure 8 and sho-wing more specifically the bell crank lever and its actuating bar;

Figure 1l is a fragmentary side elevation of the lower portion of the toy showing more specifically the .actuating means thereof;

Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View taken on line I2-l2 of Figure 13;

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line I3-I3 of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line M-l of Figure l;

Figure 15 is a section as seen on the line l5-I 5 of Figure 16; and

Figure 16 is a horizontal section as seen on the line |6--l6 of Figure 15. In describing the invention, I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the -several views and in which I designates a base of any preferred shape or size, vupon which is mounted a standard 2 of any preferred size, shape `or height, being preferably formed in sections and interlocked detachably by means of a male and female joint designated by the numeral 3 and held in position by the leaf-spring latch 4. Mounted on the upper section of the standard -2 is` a platform or the like yl, which is arranged horizontally which, for the purposes `of describing the type of toy disclosed, may be said to be a -diving platform. Y

Mounted on the platform 5 and projected vertically therefrom are the uprights V6 which may be secured in any preferred manner to said platform, the upper ends of said uprights being formed into channel shaped guides l which are arranged parallel to the platform 5. 'Ihese channel guides 'l are braced at their one end to the uprights 6 by means of the ornamental bracing arms 8.

Extending parallel and in spaced relation forward of the standard 2 is a ladder 9 which is also formed preferably in sections and held detachably together by means of the joint I0 similar to the joint 3 in connection with the standard 2. This ladder 9 is supported on the standard 2 by means of the lateral supporting arms II. The sides of the ladder member 9 are bent to form channel shaped portions I2, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 14 of the drawings, said channel members I2 corresponding to the channel members l. The upper portion of the ladder member 9 is braced to the adjacent end of the horizontal channel Shaped guide 'I by means of ornamental arms I3 similar to the arms 8, previously described.

As stated in the objects of the invention, it is an essential purpose to provide a movement which will advance an object vertically up the ladder and then transmit the same horizontally across the platform 5. In carrying out this idea, the one edge of each of the channel members I2 is bent inwardly and formed with plurality of spaced teeth I4 forming substantially a stationary rack bar. The outer edge of the rack bar between each of the teeth I is compoundly curved as shown at I5 for a purpose to be hereinafter and more particularly set forth. For purposes of simplicity, the portions of the device bearing the teeth I4 will be hereinafter referred to as stationary rack bars.

The upper edge of each of the channel shaped guides I is inwardly bent and formed with spaced teeth I6 similar to the teeth I4 and the edges of the ange in which said teeth are formed are Y also shaped as the edges I5 heretofore described.

The flanges of the guides 7 in which the teeth I6 are formed may be said to be stationary horizontal rack bars and the same are riveted, soldered or otherwise secured at their ends to the upper ends of the vertical portions of the ladder 9.

Mounted for reciprocation in each of the channel shaped portions I2 of the ladder 9 is a movable rack barrII which is provided with teeth similar to the teeth I4 on the stationary rack bar. The movable or reciprocating rack bar I'I has its teeth opposed to the teeth I4 of the stationary rack bar, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings and it may be here stated that movement of the bar I is such that any element supported on the teeth I4 of the stationary rack bar may be lifted and carried to the next succeeding set of teeth on the stationary rack bars. In other words, the movement or reciprocation of the movable bar I1 is for a distance slightly greater than the distance between any two teeth I4 of the stationary rack bar, The movable rack. bars I'I are preferably formed in sections removably secured together as shown at I8. Of course, where ladders of shorter length are utilized, it may not be necessary to form the rack bars I'I and other elements in sections.

Mounted in the channel shaped guide 'I for reciprocation therein is an additional rack bar I9, which is provided also with teeth similar to the teeth I6 with respect to which the teeth of the rack bar I9 are opposed. A bell crank lever -20 is fulcrumed on one of the arms or uprights 6,

as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, one arm of which is loosely linked by means able rack bar is actuated in its guide, the horizontally disposed rack bar I9 will be actuated in its guide rack 1. Two bell crank levers are, of course, provided, one on each side of the platform 5 so that both horizontally disposed rack bars I9 may be actuated simultaneously with the actuation of the two vertically movable rack bars l1.

In order that the object which is being con-- veyed on the teeth I4 and forwardly on the teeth I6 of the stationary rack bars may not casually drop therefrom, means is provided to cause the movable rack bars I'I and I9, respectively, to be yieldingly held adjacent the sta-tionary rack bars. To this end, a plurality of spring members 23 are provided on the ladder 9, as clearly shown in Figure 14 of the drawings, the ends of said spring contacting with the edges of the movable rack bars I I to hold the latter in yielding contact with the end walls of the channel shaped guide I2.

Similarly, a series ofv springs, as disclosed by the numeral 24 and 25 are provided in connection with the guide 'I acting on the movable rack bar I9 to hold the latter in contact yiel-dingly with the upper wall of the guides 'I'. In this manner, locking pockets are formed between the teeth of the stationary and movable rack bars, as clearly shown in Figurel 3 Yof the drawings, whereby any element held therein may be preventedrfrom displacement and obviously, when the movable rack bars II and I9 are actuated, said elements may be progressively moved upwardly and forwardly on the vertical and horizontal stationary bars.

I have provided means for reciprocating the movable rack bars. To this end, a forked lever 23 is fulcrumed as shown at 21 on the lower end of the standard 2, the arms of which are slotted and engaged with pins 28 projected respectively from the lower ends of the rack bars I'I, as clearly shown in Figures 11 and 13 of the drawings. The handle portion of the lever designated by the numeral 29 may be grasped by the hand of the user and reciprocated manually to actuate the device but said handle is also slotted as shown at 30 so that it may be connected with any source of power so that the device may be automatically actuated. Pins 3l extend laterally from the sides of the standard 2 adjacent the lower end thereof to limit the rocking movement of the lever 2G downwardly, this being clearly shown in Figures 1 and 11 of the drawings, as well as in Figure 13. Of course, these pins are located so that a predetermined relation of the teeth of the movable rack bars with respect to the stationary rack bars may be obtained. TheV upward movement of the rack bars YI'I is limited by Contact of the upper ends thereof with the upper walls of the channel shaped guide racks 1, although other means for limiting this upward movement may be provided if de- Obviously, a bar or pin may be carried vertically upward on the stationary rack bar hav- -ing the teeth I 4 through the actuation of the 'I have described this invention as particularly applicable to toys, it will be understood that the mechanical movement is considered to be sufriciently novel to warrant application thereof to other uses. For illustration, in use as a toy, I have provided a figure for movement vertically and horizontally on the device. This iigure comprises a body 32 having a head 33 thereon and a pair of pivoted arms 34. The outer ends of the arms are somewhat spherical as shown at 35, simulating hands, and support a horizontally disposed pin or bar 36. A pair of pivoted legs 3'@ are provided formed with feet 33 thereon. Plates 39 which extend upwardly from the feet project forwardly from the lower ends of the legs 3l above forward portions of the feet as shown in Figure 4 so that said feet will not engage the rungs of the ladder 9 when the figure is moved vertically of the device. This igure is adapted to be placed in relation to the device so that the cross bar or pin 3 is supported on the teeth lei to be moved step by step or tooth by tooth up the stationary rack bar through the medium of the reciprocation of the movable rack bar il.

In order to position the cross bar 3B of the gure so as to be initially engaged by the movable rack bar I7, the walls of the channel members l2 of the ladder 9 at the lower end thereof are shaped to form a mouth 40, the walls of which support the pin 35 until such time as the lowermost tooth of the movable rack bar H engages the same and moves said pin upwardly to be received on the lowermost tooth of the stationary rack bar. 'Ihis mouth construction is clearly shown in Figure l2 of the drawings.

Obviously, as the rack bars Il are reciprocated, the cross bar or pin 36 of the figure will be progressively moved, tooth by tooth up the stationary rack bar. The feet of the gure will be caused to contact with the rungs of the ladder 3 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, simulating the movement of a man up a ladder. As the pin or bar 3S is moved from one tooth i4 to the other on the stationary rack bar by action of the movable rack bar I1, said pin or bar will be caused to travel over the cornpoundly curved edges of the stationary rack bar between the respective teeth and the rack bar I? will be caused to yield against the springs 23, as appears obvious. When the bar or pin 36, carrying the gure, reaches the uppermost tooth i4 of the stationary rack bar, it .is adapted to be engaged by the horizontally movable rack bar i9. The end of said rack bar iS which is adjacent the rack bar Il' is arcuately formed as shown at 4I in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. This arcuately formed end of the rack bar i9 permits the ends of the ladder to ride readily under the pin or bar 35 to permit the latter to be readily engaged with the rst tooth of said rack bar I9 and thus carried progressively, tooth by tooth, along the stationary rack bar i5. As stated previously, the movement of the teeth of the movable rack bars H and i9 is slightly greater than the distance between the teeth of the stationary rack bars so that the bar or pin 3 of the figure is at all times progressed in its path from one tooth to the other without any diiiiculty whatsoever. When the pin of the gure reaches the outermost end of the horizontal and stationary rack bars, the same is discharged from the guide l, giving an effect of diving from the platform 5. Various devices, as will be hereinafter referred to, may be utilized in connection with the discharge of the figure or element from the device.

To announce the subsequent discharge of the figure from the device, I have provided a means visible to the eye, which is thought to be effective in a toy of this character. To this end, I provide a pennant or banner 2, one end of which is supported on an angular plate 53 having an opening lili therein. A keeper l5 is mounted on the lower portion of the platform 5 adjacent one side edge thereof and is slotted as shown at fifi. The slot .13 registers with an opening il in the bottom or the platform through which is actuated a pin fifi. The banner or pennant is rolled in the pate d3 and supported on the keeper @5 whereupon the pin i8 is disposed through the opening di and through the slot fit. This retains the banner or pennant in rolled position on the device as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. The pin i3 is carried on one end ci a bell crank lever 49, the latter being fulcrumed as shown at Eil on one of the uprights 6 (as shown in Figure l of the drawings). The other arm of the bell crank lever i9 is in the path of the pin 3E as it is moved across the horizontal rack bar. When the pin 36 contacts with the one arm of the bell crank lever, the latter is rocked, raising the pin A13 upwardly and releasing the'banner to a flying position. The other end of the banner or pennant is connected through the medium of a flexible connection l with a support 52 projecting from the lower outer end of the platform 5. As stated, upon the releasing of the banner or pennant, visible announcement is made of the event of discharge of the element from the device. This announcement is made a short period oi time prior to the projection or discharge of the gure from the toy.

Also as an attractive feature of the toy, the one end of the bell crank lever 2@ is provided with sockets as sh wn at 53 for the support of staffs carrying pennants or the like. These pennants may be substituted with other devices, if desired, but in any event, some element may thus be provided which will reciprocate as the device is operated. Any visible means provided in the sockets 53 will be attractive to the eyes of those operating the invention.

As previously stated, the figure supported on the cross bar or pin 353 is discharged from the device with somewhat of a diving action. Any means may be provided in association With the end of the platform 5 to create a diierent effect as for instance, a slide so that the figure when discharged will be caused to descend thereon to any other element or to the oor. I have shown, however, an element designated by the numeral 54 representing a tank into which the figure is adapted to dive when discharged. This element 5 is in the form of a stand over which is disposed an elastic covering 54. The arrows disclose the discharge oi the figure from the platform and the rebound thereof from the covering 54. This is only one illustration of whatmight be accomplished in connection with the discharge of the figure from the toy.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved device, the operation thereof will be readily understood and it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efcient means for carrying out the objects of the invention.

While I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A toy device comprising a frame including a vertical guideway terminating in a horizontal guideway, a separable member adapted to be carried through said vertical and horizontal guidcways and reciprocating means for advancing said member continuously through said vertical and through said horizontal guideways.

2. A toy device of the class described comprising a frame including a vertical guideway terminating in a horizontal guideway, a separable member adapted to be carried through said vertical and horizontal guideways and reciprocating means for intermittently advancing said member in continuous motion through said vertical and through said horizontal guideways.

3. In a toy of the class described, a frame, a separable member, means for advancing said member on said frame in a step by step movement, and signaling means movably connected to said frame and actuated by said advancing means for visibly indicating the progress of advance of said member on said frame.

4. In a toy of the class described, a frame vertically arranged and formed with spaced apart teeth on opposite sides thereof, a pin loosely supported on the teeth of said frame and having a body suspended therefrom between the sides of said frame, and reciprocating means for advancing said pin to successive teeth throughout the length of said frame.

5. A toy device of theclass described, comprising a pair of spaced apart stationary rack bars having teeth spaced one from the other, a body carrying pin loosely supported on the teeth of said spaced bars, means -for successively advancing said pin on the teeth of said bars and additional means coacting With the last mentioned means for discharging said pin in a direction angular to the plane of said bars.

6. A toy device of the class described, comprising a frame formed with parallel spaced apart rack bars, the teeth of said bars being spaced, one from the other, a separable member supportable on the teeth of said rack bars, reciprocating means for advancing said member on the teeth of said bars successively and additional reciprocating means coacting with said last mentioned means for advancing and discharging said member in a plane angular to the plane of said rack bars.

7. In a toy of the class described, a frame having portions thereof formed with spaced apart channels, one Wall of each of said channels being toothed to provide a pair of spaced stationary tooth bars, a separable member loosely supportable on the teeth of said bars and means supportable and reciprocable in said channels for advancing said member successively on the teeth of said bars.

8. In a toy of the class described, a frame having portions thereof formed with spaced apart channels, one Wall of each of said channels being toothed to provide a pair oi spaced stationary tooth bars, a separable member loosely supportable on` the teeth of said bars and reciprocating means yieldingly supported in said channels, cooperating with said rack bars and member to advance the latter tooth by tooth on said bars.

9. In a toy of the class described, a frame having portions thereof formed with spaced apart ing toothed to provide a pair of spaced stationary tooth bars, a separable member loosely supportable on the teeth of said bars and reciprocating rack bars yieldingly supported in said channels, adapted to engage said member and advance the latter tooth by tooth on the first mentioned rack bars.

10. In a toy of the class described, a frame having portions thereof formed with channels, said channels being in spaced parallel alignment, one wall of each channel being toothed to form a rack bar, the teeth of said rack bar being spaced one from the other, a pin separable from said rack bars and supportable loosely thereon, a pair of reciprocating rack bars supported in said channels having teeth similar to the teeth of the first mentioned rack bars and arranged opposite to the latter, and means for actuating said reciprocating rack bars to advance said pin tooth by tooth on the first mentioned rack bars.

1l. In a toy of the class described, a frame having formed thereon vertical stationary rack bars and horizontal stationary rack bars, a separable member supportable on the teeth of said rack bars, vertically reciprocating means coacting with the vertical rack bars to move said separable member tooth by tooth thereon, horizontally reciprocating means coacting With the horizontal rack bars and adapted to receive said member from the vertical bars and move the same tooth-by-tooth across said horizontal rack bars.

12. In a toy of the class described, a frame having formed thereon vertical stationary rack bars and horizontal stationary rack bars, a separable member supportable on the teeth of said rack bars, vertically reciprocating means coacting with the vertical'rack bars to move said separable member tooth by tooth thereon, horizontally reciprocating means coacting with the horizontal rack bars and adapted to receive said member from the vertical bars'and move the same tooth-by-tooth across said horizontal rack bars, and means connecting said horizontal and vertical reciprocating means whereby to synchronize the movement thereof so that when said separable member leaves the last tooth of the vertical rack bars, same will be received on the rst tooth of said horizontal rack bars.

13. In a toy of the class described, a frame formed with stationary rack bars, certain of which are disposed vertically and certain others of which are disposed horizontally, vertically reciprocating rack bars cooperating With the vertical stationary rack bars, yielding means for retaining said reciprocating rack bars in place on said frame in coacting relation with the stationary vertical rack bars, horizontally reciprocating rack bars supported in the frame coacting with the horizontal stationary rack bars, a separable member supported on the teeth of said stationary rack bars and adapted to be progressively .moved tooth by tooth on the stationary vertical and horizontal rack bars through the reciprocation of said vertical and horizontal reciprocating rack bars and means connecting said vertical and horizontally reciprocating rack bars to move the same in unison, as and for the purposes described.

14. In a toy of the class described, a frame provided with vertical spaced apart channel members, one wall of each of said channel members being toothed whereby to form vertical rack bars, the teeth of each rack bar being spaced one from the other, a pin separable from said rack bars and supportable loosely thereon, said pin having a body member suspended therefrom, a pair of additional and reciprocating rack bars movably supported within said channel members, said reciprocating rack bars having teeth thereon similar to the teeth of the rst mentioned rack bars and arranged opposite to the latter, yielding means within said channel members acting on said reciprocating rack bars tending to normally retain the latter in a predetermined position Within said rack bars, and means for actuating said reciprocating rack bars to advance said pin tooth by tooth on the first mentioned rack bars.

LOGAN L. MALLARD. 

